Dosu slams Anichebe

Anichebe, who last played for the Super Eagles in September 2011, when a groin injury suffered against Madagascar kept him out for four months, said in his club’s official website on Wednesday he would continue his international exile in order to focus on Everton, because the Premier League side cared for him when he was injured featuring for the Eagles.

“I didn’t feel that the Nigerian Football Federation was there for me then in the same manner, which was especially disappointing given that I got the injury representing my country.

“But I don’t blame anyone for this nor do I have any issues with anybody from the NFF or Stephen Keshi our coach.

“He has done a fantastic job and is building a team that Nigerians can be proud of.”

Keshi is believed to have identified the 25-year-old as a suitable replacement for injured Spartak Moscow hitman Emmanuel Emenike for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying games against Kenya in Nairobi on June 5 and Namibia in Windhoek on June 12. Nigeria, who will also feature at the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June, are tied on five points with Malawi in their group and the Eagles need victory in Nairobi to brighten their qualification chances.

The Eagles coach said last week the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games silver medallist had been missing from his list because “he refused to pick my calls or even call me”.

Although Dosu feels pity for the player, he said Anichebe was wrong to snub his country.

“I’m disappointed in Anichebe for deciding to focus his attention on his club while his country is battling to win a ticket to the World Cup,” the ex-Eagles goalkeeper told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

“No matter the situation, Nigeria is his country and he should be a part of the effort to win a ticket to Brazil 2014.

“He’s not the only player that was abandoned by the country after sustaining injuries on national assignments.

“Many players in the past suffered the same treatment and didn’t quit the national team.

“It’s not too late for Anichebe to change his mind and return to the team because his services are needed.”

However, Dosu decried poor treatment of players injured while representing the country, calling for a change.

The former Italy-based keeper said, “The NFF should address the issues raised by Anichebe. I can’t blame the federation because I don’t know what happened. But if it is true that he was abandoned it’s not good for the image of the country.

“We shouldn’t abandon any of our players having problems to their fate. We should show concern.”

He warned the Eagles to train hard ahead of their make-or-break Group F second leg World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Nairobi to avoid a shocking result. The first leg in Calabar on March 23 ended 1-1.

“It’s going to be a tough match for us but I believe the Eagles will return home with the three points at stake,” the ex-Julius Berger star said.

“We’ve never lost to Kenya and I don’t think it will be different this time around.

“I’m happy that our strikers are doing well in Europe. Brown Ideye, Sunday Mba and Kalu Uche are in top form and I believe they will not disappoint in Nairobi.”

Don’t blame him , Nigeria is use and dump . Same thing was done to emenike by NFF and Keshi after the nations cup .

http://twitter.com/bosahfree Bosah

A very smart move by this young man. I have suggested severally that Nigeria will never get 100% from these players if she does not at least have an insurance coverage on the players, just in case they have a career ending injury.

Most of the players are from not so well to do families and can not afford to take care of their families. I think it is wicked to not have insurance for them. I am still telling the players to demand coverage by reputable International insurers or don’t risk anything for a very corrupt, myopic and ungrateful nation.

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"Mr Orubebe, you are former minister of the Federal Republic, you are a statesman in your own right and you must be careful about what you say and about the allegations or accusations that you make and certainly you must be careful about your public conducts."

INEC's Chairman, Attairu Jega cautioning Orubebe over his conduct during the release of the Presidential election results.